Velocipede frame construction



May 17, 1960 T. MOLL VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1957 FIG. I

INVENTOR. THEODORE MOLL 0% +K-T F ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 MQLL 2,937,035

VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 2. 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 92 99 99 F J! J 3 4 fi All; "h P mmllltlm INVENTOR.

THEODORE MOLL BY M g Q/wFt ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 v MOLL, 2,937,035

VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 2, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

B TH -0DORE MOLL y 1x037,-

ATTORNEYS United States Patent VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Theodore Moll, Fairview Park, Ohio Application August 2, 1957, Serial No. 675,991 4 Claims. cl. 280-282) The invention relates in'general to a velocipede con struction and more particularly to a method for contherebetween.

structing a sturdy and safe frame structure'which is adapted to maintain the components of a velocipede in' their proper position. I

An object of the invention is to provide an improved frame structure for a velocipede. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a'method of holding and making a bearing support member for a velocipede construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel bearing support construction for a velocipede;

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel construction for supportingthe seat structure of a velocipede.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a velocipede utilizing the improved frame structure of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the two metal blanks utilized in making the frame structure of the present invention; I

Figure 3 is a plan view of the metal blank of Figure 2 after a drawing or forming operation has been conducted thereon; I

Figure 4 is a view taken along line 44 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the formed blank of Figure 3 after the flanges thereof have been subjected to a trimming operation;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the trimmed metal blank of Figure 5 after it has been subjected to a flanging and embossing operation; I Figure 7 is a view taken along line 7--7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of two completely formed 2,937,035 Patented May 17, 1960 front wheel assembly 24, the steering handles 25, a seat 26, and a rear wheel assembly 27.

The frame structure for the velocipede to which the present invention relates and which is best seen in its completed and assembled condition in Figures 1, 8 and 9 has an axis of symmetry which is indicated by the dot-dash line 30. This frame structure comprises'first and second hollow mating. sections 33 and 34, respec* tively, each of which has first and second end portions 36 and 37, respectively, and an intermediateportion 38 Each of the first and second hollow mating sections has anupper and a lower edgeportion 41 and 42, respectively. The lower edge portion 42 of each of the sections is provided with a flange 44 which lies substantially in the same plane as the axis 30 and which extends from the first to the second end portions 36 and 37, respectively. The upper edge portion 41 of each of the sections has a flange 45 on the first end portion thereof and also has flanges 48 and 49 on the intermediate portion. The flanges 45, 48 and 49 lies substantially in the same plane as does the flange 44.

I The upper edge portion 41 of the ifirst mating section 33 complementary metal blanks secured together by means of spot welding to form the frame structure of the present invention; V

Figure 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a plan view of the seat supporting bearing .structure utilized in the frame structure of the presen line 11-11 of Figure 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of Figure 8; and

Figure 15 is a view taken along line.1515 of Figure 8.

Figure 1 illustrates a velocipede 20' which includes the frame structure 22 of the present invention which :is adapted to secure and support the component parts of-the velocipede in their proper positions. Associated with the frame structure 22 of the velocipede is the main is also provided with first and second flangeportions 46 and 47, respectively. These flange portions extend gen: erally normal to the flanges 48 and 49 at the intermediate portion with -the first flange portion located at the first end portion o flthe frame structure and with the second flange located at the second end portion of the frame structure. The upper .edge' portion 41 ofthe second mating section 34' is provided with firstand second depressed portions 50 and 51, respectively, which are located at thefirst and second end portions,. respe c tively, of the frame structure and which complementarily interfit with the first and second flange portions 46 and 47 of the first mating section. Each of the mating sections is provided-witha half round bearing member support 54 at both the upper and lower edge portions thereof which is located at the first end portion 36 of the frame structure.

A cylindrical bearing member ,57 resides within the half round bearing member supports 54 of the two mating sections and is fixedly'secured thereto by spot welding, as at 58. The cylindrical bearing member 57 is best seen in Figure 13 and, as shown, includes wall means which define a cylindrical bearing having first and second spaced end portions. Thisbearing member 57 is adapted to house the axle which extends from the main front wheel assembly 24 which, in turn, interconnects with the steering handles '25. This bearing member permits turning of the front wheel assembly.

'Each of the mating sections 33 and 34 at the intermediate portion thereof has the flanges on the upper :and

. lower edge portions outwardly-enlarged, as at 60 (Figure 9), thereby forming a mounting cradle which is adapted to house and hold a seat supporting bearing structure '62 which receives the shaft which extends from the seat 26 to'hold the same in place and to provide vertical adjustment therefor. The seat supporting bearing structure 62 is shown in detail in Figures 10, 11 and 12,'a nd includes first and second complementary sections 65 and 66,: respectively. Each of the complementary sections -65 and 66-comprises first and second connecting portions 68-and 69, respectively, which terminate at either end portion in spaced mounting cars 70. A half rounded portion. ,72 is integrally formed with and interconnects the first and second connecting portions 68 and 69, respectively. The first and second complementary sections 65 and 66 are secured together by spot welding as indicated at to form the seat supporting bearing structure. Securedto the inner wall of the first complementary section 65 is a plate 74 and through this plate and section is provided a threaded opening 76 which extends generally normal to the extent of the connecting portions 68 and 69. A screw 78 threadably interfits the opening 76 to securely hold the shaft which extends from the seat 26 through the opening -formed by the hearing estructure r62. Ihis screw 78 may be loosened-andttightenedrastdesiredtto provide the properzverticaliaiijustment to .the seat (26. The seat-supportinglbearing structure.62, shoWn .inIEigures .10 through 12, is platted Q he mounting icradle .formed by the venlargedportions 60 .in the two hollow mating sections ran dlis securely spot welded in place, as at -79, bestseen inQEigure "8. .seen jn'l igures 8 and T9, the first and -.second ,hollow tr'natingsections "3'3 and734 are securely vhldtinplacelby spot welding of the'fianges 44;

45, -48 and 49,, as findicatedigenerallyjby the reference v At the second endvportion-of the frame structure there extends :a -rear wheel assembly connecting structure 83. This connectingstructure 83 'isfformed as .-a laterally extending continuation of the mating sections 33 and 34, respectively. "This connecting structure includesan annular extending "flange "8.4"which, 'in the "finished velocipede, is connected to the rear Wheel assembly '27 by means. of spot welding;no't shown.

'The method of making the frame structure, "shown in Figures "1, 8 'and'9 fincl'udes'ithe steps of 'selectingfirst and second'metal'blanks. One of thesemet-al blanks'has been shown inFigurefZ andhambeenindicated bythe reference numeral 388. 'The Jnetal1'blanks88 have first and second end portions'89 and90,;respectively,"and anintermediate portion 91-"tl1erebetween. "I"he""blanks 88 are provided with opposed slots "92 on "opposed "edge portions 93. These slots "92 vare "located *at the intermediate portion 91 oftlre blank. Midway/between the slots 92, "the inten mediate portion of *the blank provided -wtih an aperture "94. The *next step in making "the frame structure present invention "isthe "forming of'theblanks of Figure 2 into a half shellconfigu'ration '97, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, with the flange "98 extending substantially eompletely around theedge-portions of the configuration. This operation is accomplished by the use of male 'and'female dies andrnaybe referred to as a forming or drawing operation. It will be noted in Figure 3 that the Width of the flange' 9'8 is substantially the same 'dimension as the length of the slots 92. In-this same forming operation -.each' of the blanks is provided 'with half'round bearing'menibersupports 99 and the nose 'or first end portion-is qprovidedwith-a'rib 100.

The next step *is *thatof trimming thefianges on the halfshell conili'guration'eshown-in'Figures 3 and -4 so that they are ofconsistent idirnension'throughou't their entire length. This trimming operation rernoves that portion tif'thellange '98immediate'ly next to the half round bearingmeniber supports99 to clearly define the same and at the same time forms the first and second flange portions 46 and 47, respectively, which are the flange portions referred to "hereinabove' in :the discussion .of the finished frame structure. -At the same time that the first and second flange 'portions 46 'and 47 are being formed the flan'ges --'4'4,- 45, 48 and -49 of the finished frame structure -are being"formed. 'This'is'the step-in theoonstruction of the first"liollc-w rnating section 33 of the .:cornpl'eted frame structureand ihe construction of the :secondihollow mating section"34 is' 'identical with the-:exceptionithat instead of the first and second Iflange portions 46 Tend :47 being"formed, 'the=metalwhich makes up these flange portions ou the first rna'ting section 33 is :compl'etely remo'ved IOU the second n-rating section 54. Otherwise the construction of the two is identical so that' the two may 'be-assenibled' to form the completed"framesstrueture of Figures "1, "as and 9. "The next stepinvdlved in making the first hollow mating section '--33 is illustrated in 6 "7 This step includes the bending of the first an'cl "second *flange portions '46 :and 47 through an angle er substantially ninety degrees so that they are substantially normal "to the iflanges *48 and '49. "In'zthis same operation, the rear wheel connecting structure 83 "is provided with the annular extending 'fi'ange"84 and tbe intermediate portion of the mating sections immediately on either side of the slots 92 is provided with the outwardly enlarged portions 60 which form the mounting cradle for the seat supporting bearing structure 62. The construction of the second hollow mating section 34 is identical with that shown in F'rgures 6 and 7 for the first hollow-.mating section 33 withitherexceptiontthat,instead of bending thefiange portions 46 and 47, the second mating section fad -is providedwith 'tlreifirstsandesecond depressedportionsi50 and 51,.shown inFiguresS, 14 and 15. The operation sbown 'in Figures '6 and 7 and described hereinaboue isicarried out with :the use of male and female dies in much the same manner as the opera tions shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

After the first and second hollow mating sections 33 and 34 have been formed, as described hereinabove, they are,placed 'in rcomplementa'r'y engagement with each other with the seat supporting bearing structure shown in Figures '1'0' through 12 in place; andfithe first 'fiange portion 46 and "the first depressed portion 50 are 'spo'twelded together immediately behind the bearing member supports 54. "This .is done without bearing member 57 in place and therefore one .of the "electrodes "of the spot welding apparatus "may be inserted through 'the opening formed by the "supports '54 "to reach the point 'o'f the weld. The cylindrical bearing member'57 is thenplaced inthe'pos'ition shown in'Figure 8'and-9 and-is'spot-welded in "place-along "with'tlre seat-supporting "bearing structure and thedianges 4'4,-'45,*48and-49, respectively. The sec ond flange and -depressed portions are capable of being spot welded together since the place of weld may be reached through theoperiing formed by ii'a'nge'84. The portion er the support structure formed by the 5 first and second flange portions --provides a :smooth construction which obviates the possibility of injury-to a youngster nsingthe veloeipede.

-A'fter the frame structure" 22, 'shown 'in Figures and '9, has been -'cornpletly assembled, the "components of the -velocipette are assembled, as shown in Figure 1. axle of the front wheel assembly 24 extends throughthe cylindrical bearing member "57 and is secured to the steering handles *25 and the bearing member *for theseat 26 extends through the seat supporting bearing structure 62 and is heldin place and vertically adjusted by means of the screw "78. The annular extending ilange "84 of the rear-wheel -connectingstructure 83 'is'next spot wanes in place to the rear wheel assembly 27*and the'velorcipede is then ready for use.

Although this invention has been-described in its preferred form with a certain degree iof particular ityfiit "is understood that the present disclosureo'f the preferred form "has been'made only by Way of example and that numerous changes inthe details of construction andthe combination and arrangement of parts may be'resorte'd to Without departing from the spirit and the "scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

\Vhat is claimed is:

l. A frame structure for a velocipede having a vertical plane of symmetry and comprising first and second hollow matingsections, eachsaid first an'd second' hollow .mating section having first and second end portionsand "an intermediate portion therebetween, "each said firs't'and second hollows mating section having upper and lower edge portions, said lower edge portion of each said mating section having a i fian'ge" lying -"substantially f in said "planeand extending from said first to said "second end vportions, said upper edge portion of each said mating section having a *fiange at said first end portion and at said intermediate portion and lying substantially insai'd plane, "sai'd'upper edge'portion 'of said first mating sec 'tion *hav'in'g first "and second tiian'ge portions extending generz'illynornral ito'said flange 'at said intermediate1por- 'tion "and located "at *sa'idfirst and second end portions,

said upper edge portion of said second mating section having first and second depressed portions at said first and second end portions and being complementary to said first and second flange portions of said first mating section, each said mating section having a half round bearing member support at the upper and lower edge portion thereof and located at said first end portion, a cylindrical bearing member residing within said bearing member supports and being spot welded thereto, each said mating section having an outwardly enlarged portion at the upper and lower edge portion thereof forming a mounting cradle and located at said intermediate portion, a seat supporting bear-ing structure including first and second complementary sections, each said section comprising first and second connecting portions terminating at either end portion in spaced mounting ears, a half rounded portion integrally formed with and interconnecting said first and second connecting portions, said first and second complementary sections being spot welded together, said half rounded portion of one of said complementary sections having a threaded opening extending generally normal to the extent of said connecting portions, screw means in said threaded opening for securing a shaft in place, said seat supporting bearing structure residing in said mounting cradle and being spot welded in place, and spot welding means extending between said flanges for securing said hollow mating sections together.

2. A frame structure for a velocipede comprising first and second hollow mating sections, each said first and second hollow mating section having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, each said first and second hollow mating section having upper and lower edge portions, said lower edge portion of each said mating section having a flange extending from said first to said second end portions, said upper edge portion of each said mating section having a flange at said first end portion and at said intermediate portion, said upper edge portion of said first mating section having first and second flange portions extending generally normal to said flange at said intermediate portion and located at said first and second end portions, said upper edge portion of said second mating section having first and second depressed portions at said first and second end portions and being complementary to said first and second flange portions of said first mating section, each said mating section having a half round bearing member support at the upper and lower edge portion thereof and located at said first end portion, a bearing member residing within said bearing member supports and being secured thereto, each said mating section having an outwardly enlarged portion at the upper and lower edge portion thereof forming a mounting cradle and located at said intermediate portion, a seat supporting bearing structure including first and second complementary sections each having mounting ears thereon, said first and second complementary sections being secured together, screw means cooperating with said seat supporting bearing structure said' flanges for securing said hollow mating sections together.

3. A seat supporting bearing structure including first and second complementary sections, eachsaid section comprising first and second connecting portions terminating at either end portion in spaced mounting ears, a half rounded portion integrally formed with and interconnecting said first and second connecting portions, said first and second complementary sections being spot welded together, a plate secured to one of said half rounded portions, said one of said half rounded portions having a threaded opening extending through said plate and said half rounded portion and generally normal to the extent of said connecting portions, and screw means in said threaded opening for securing a shaft in place.

4. A frame structure for a velocipede comprising first and second hollow mating sections, each said first and second hollow mating section having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, each said first and second hollow mating section having upper and lower edge portions, said lower edge portion of each said mating section having a flange, said upper edge portion of each said mating section having a flange, said flanges of each said mating section being outwardly enlarged thereby forming a mounting cradle at said intermediate portion, a seating supporting bearing structure including first and second complementary sections, each said section comprising first and second connecting portions terminating at either end portion in spaced mounting cars, a half rounded portion integrally formed with and interconnecting said first and second connecting portions, said first and second complementary sections being spot welded together, said half rounded portion of one of said complementary sections having a threaded opening extending generally normal to the extent of said connecting portions, screw means in said threaded opening for securing a shaft in place, said seat supporting bearing structure residing in said mounting cradleand being spot welded in place, and spot Welding means extending between said flanges for securing said hollow mating sections together. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Roder Sept. 18, 1956 

